January 11, 2017— Welcome back, class. Please take your seats. Class is now in session. Since its inception, Marvel Comics has been defined by hard-hitting action, engrossing story lines and an ever-expanding library of some of the most heroic and complex characters of all time! Returning today, Marvel is excited to continue its original video series devoted to giving fans an educational deep dive into some of the most iconic Marvel characters, you may, or may not be, familiar with. Start taking notes – this is season 2 of MARVEL 101!  

With the Up-Coming announcemnet that The Defenders TV mini series will debut in late 2017, Marvel is wasting no time in getting comic fans ready by introducing a new ongoing series The Defenders” this Summer!  

The planet’s most badass metal band takes control of comics! The ultimate thrash juggernaut, Slayer has dominated stages and destroyed audiences for over thirty years, with their latest album, Repentless, showing no signs of slowing down or showing mercy. Based on the brutal Repentless videos, this expansion of the video story lines drives deep into the darkest heart of America, a raging road trip down a bloodstained highway, a tale of the doomed, the damned . . . and the repentless!  

Next week…monsters invade the Marvel Universe! That’s right, the can’t-miss MONSTERS UNLEASHED #1 is set to rampage across your local comic shop on January 18th, and with a story this big – we needed a bigger book! Superstar creators Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe) and Steve McNiven (Civil War) are bringing you a colossal first issue full of wall-to-wall action as heroes of the Marvel Universe go toe-to-toe with towering beasts the size of skyscrapers!  

This summer, your favorite ragtag group of spacefaring heroes are blasting off with a historic new beginning! New adventures, new creative team, high adventure in deep space! Marvel is pleased to announce ALL-NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 – a new ongoing series launching this May from blockbuster creators Gerry Duggan (Deadpool, Uncanny Avengers) and Aaron Kuder (Death of X)!  

THINK TANK VOL 5 #1 Cover A (Diamond code: JAN170669) and Cover B (Diamond code: JAN170670), both featuring cover art by series artist Rahsan Ekedal, will hit comic book stores on Wednesday, March 1st. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, February 6th. Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are pleased to present an exclusive sneak peek from the upcoming fifth story arc of THINK TANK, the ongoing tech-minded sci-fi series from Top Cow COO Matt Hawkins and artist Rahsan Ekedal.   Select praise for THINK TANK: “THINK TANK grabs you from the very beginning and has you begging for more by the end. A must-have for anyone who wants something cool…and who doesn’t want that?” —Robert... 

Image Comics/Skybound Entertainment is pleased to reveal a very special limited variant cover for Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s THE WALKING DEAD #163.  

Midtown Comics is thrilled to celebrate Marvel’s mighty new series, Monsters Unleashed, with an epic exclusive cover that highlights a colossal clash with some classic characters! The Midtown EXCLUSIVE variant for Marvel’s Monsters Unleashed #1 is by the astonishing and Eisner Award-winning artist Arthur Adams!  

This April, one of the most controversial characters in Marvel history returns to don the mask (and hoodie!) once more. Today, Marvel is pleased to announce BEN REILLY: THE SCARLET SPIDER #1 – the new series from New York Times Bestselling creators Peter David (Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099) and Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man, All-New X-Men)! That’s right, Ben Reilly is webslinging his way back into comic shops everywhere later this year and he’s bringing two of the most accomplished & beloved Spider-Man creators of all-time with him! Only question is – will it be as a hero…or a villain?  

This February, hatred has a new face. But first, Marvel Entertainment & Lucasfilm Ltd. are pleased to present your first look inside STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #1 – the next thrilling Star Wars limited series comes to comic shops and digital devices everywhere! Blockbuster writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, Monsters Unleashed) and artist Luke Ross (Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation) take you inside the mind of Darth Sidious’ star pupil as he embarks on a personal quest – with deadly consequences!  

The world is a more dangerous place than ever. It needs dangerous men to keep it safe. That’s where he comes in. When you need a lone agent to infiltrate, capture, uncover or destroy – there’s no one better than Fury! Today, Marvel is pleased to announce NICK FURY #1 – the all-new series launching this April! Eisner Award-winning writer James Robinson (Scarlet Witch, Cable) joins visionary artist ACO (Squadron Supreme) for a high-octane spy-thriller full of action and dripping with style!  

Image Comics is pleased to announce monthly theme variants in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary this year. The series of variants will launch with Rick Remender and Wes Craig’s DEADLY CLASS #26 and a cover that commemorates Marc Silvestri’s CYBERFORCE #1.